Turkey Math

Creative Wednesday Using flash cards to teach my nanny kids math can get so tedious and boring. But when it comes to learning arithmetic — practicing addition, subtraction, and multiplication tables over and over again is really essential. Make learning fun with this Thanksgiving-themed math project for the kids. Adjust the math problems to the […]

Straw and Pipe Cleaner Geometry

Creative Wednesday Teaching shapes is fun. Using simple materials, my 8-year-old charge created squares, triangles, diamonds, quadrangles, and more. Older kids can be more creative and make 3-D shapes such as cubes. Build them, take them apart, and start all over again. You Will Need: Pipe Cleaners Straws Safety Scissors What to Do: Show the […]

Fun Fraction Games

Creative Wednesdays Fractions are everywhere. Next time you see a sale price (such as 1/3 off), or tell the time (“It’s a quarter after 9”), use measuring cups in a recipe (such as 1/2 cup), or read a road sign (exit is 1/4 mile ahead), be sure to point out, “There’s another fraction!” Playing card […]

Sorting Games

Teaching Classifying, Comparing and Patterns Children benefit from having lots of experiences sorting, comparing, and classifying objects before participating in patterning activities. Provide opportunities for children to sort or group things by shape, number, color, or texture. As children play sorting games, vocabulary such as classifying, groups, sets, categories, same, different, fewer, longer, heavier, lighter […]